Tucson – March Madness began two days early at Hi Corbett Field.
A cloudless Tuesday turned ugly between the Rockies and San Diego Padres, with Rockies starting pitcher Jeff Francis and manager Clint Hurdle facing potential suspensions for their actions in a bizarre spring training game.
The drama bubbled in the fourth inning when Padres reliever Doug Brocail hit all-star outfielder Matt Holliday with a fastball on the left forearm. Brocail, who plunked shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on the right wrist Saturday, exchanged words with the Rockies’ bench – and with Hurdle in particular – after the manager walked onto the field to check Holliday’s condition.
Benches briefly and partially emptied, but no punches were thrown. The umpires issued warnings to both teams. When Francis threw behind the Padres’ Kevin Kouzmanoff in the fifth inning, the left-hander was ejected, along with Hurdle.
Both could be suspended after the league reviews the tape, with precedent for discipline based on similar spring training incidents over the past few years.
“You will know in two or three days, after I’ve seen the umpire’s report and the video,” said major-league discipline czar Bob Watson.
Francis, the Rockies’ potential opening day starter, declined to discuss the incident, saying only he had never been ejected in his life. Hurdle would not comment. Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said he would be surprised if Francis was suspended.
“He was at the end of his outing. He was tired,” O’Dowd said. “The ball just got away from him.”
Emotions quickly escalated because Brocail, a former Lamar High School star, sent chills through the Rockies’ camp after nailing Tulowitzki, who made a start Tuesday. When Brocail hit Holliday, he yelled at himself, knowing it “looked bad after hitting the young kid the other day.”
Brocail’s frustration turned to anger when someone from the Rockies’ dugout allegedly yelled at him. Several Rockies confirmed the verbal jab, but said it did not come from Hurdle.
“Somebody said, ‘If you can’t throw strikes, get the (heck) off the mound.’ They popped off and I popped off,” Brocail said. “I said something to Clint, along the lines, ‘You honestly believe I am throwing at him?”‘
Holliday wears a protective pad on his left hand after being hit 15 times last season. He didn’t think Brocail hit him on purpose.
“No, not all,” Holliday said.
Francis was tagged for five runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Baseball traditionally suspends starting pitchers for five games, costing them a start. Any discipline can be appealed.
“He didn’t hit anyone. He shouldn’t be suspended,” said Rockies first baseman Todd Helton.
Brocail, whose actions also will be scrutinized, was not bothered by Francis’ apparent retaliation.
“He just did what he had to do,” Brocail said. “Now he could get in trouble.”
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
